Which wetland is acidic and unproductive?
A bog is typically acidic, nutrient-poor, and low in productivity because it is supplied mainly by precipitation rather than mineral-rich groundwater. This rain-fed condition is termed ombrotrophy. Waterlogged peat slows oxygen diffusion and microbial decomposition, allowing partially decomposed plant material to accumulate. Organic acids released from peat and cation exchange by Sphagnum moss lower the pH, while limited inputs of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and other minerals restrict plant growth. Bog plants therefore show adaptations to nutrient scarcity, including evergreen leaves, asso
Ref: Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles, 9th Ed., Ch. 2-3
